Newbie to European River Cruising -Advice - which line?

[robertmartha]

Have been toying with the idea of a river cruise in '15 or '16...so yes you can see I am a planner! We are a couple in our early 50's - have been fortunate enough to have sailed on several mass markets lines to date Carnival, RC, Celebrity and Holland... but the thought of being on ships and esp in European ports with THOUSANDS appeals to us less and less as opposed to experiencing smaller cities and towns with smaller groups. We are definately more of the small boutique type hotel types who enjoy relaxing with a drink and a nice meal and do not need the casino, disco, etc - esp on a European cruise which I know are very port intensive. After visiting Florence on a land vacation 2 years ago and walking/roaming around on our own and seeing the "masses" on tours with the mass market lines..we both looked at each other and said - I don't want to do that anymore! We enjoy meeting new people - but the thought of engaging in small talk each night at dinner is a bit off-putting for us - esp when we are on vacation (even though some of our closest friends we met in Mexico one year on vacation!) So that's us in a nutshell....

 

Would appreciate advise from those on this board who have sailed on the various lines...thoughts - comments - suggestions???? esp on your experience with the various lines out there. From what I have been reading river cruises skew older but can't imagine they are floating retirement homes (aka Holland's bad rap - but we were once asked why we were on a Holland cruise by a staff member because we were "young" !) since they are so port intensive.

 

Thanks all!

Bob

[papa B me]

My wife and I are in our early 50's and we sailed with Uniworld on the SS Antoinette down the Rhine in July. We were at the lower end of the age spectrum but absolutely loved the experience and the people we sailed with. We utilized their precruise package in Amsterdam which allowed us to get to know about 10 couples prior to the cruise. This allowed us to make friends with a number of couples to share meals with and enjoy bike rides and walks in many of the villages with. Our experience on Uniworld which is all inclusive was first class in every aspect from food to service to ships amenities. Even though I would say the majority of people were above 55 years old it was an active group. The tours rarely had any more then 20 in one group. We were planning an Ocean cruise around Italy for 2016 but have decided to book Uniworld's Venice cruise with the Florence/Rome extension because it was such a great experience. Good look in your research. I think the Rhine is a great place to start and wholeheartedly recommend Uniworld

[pacmom]

We leave on our 20th river cruise in 3 weeks. Have sailed with AMAwaterways, Avalon, Grand Circle, Cruise West, GAdevntures, Uniworld, Vantage and Viking. For a first trip would recommend 7 says with a few days pre and post cruise--on your own, unless you need everything planned out for you--then go for the cruise line pre and post.

 

You said you like boutique type hotels, then take a good look at Uniworld. Also Scenic and Tauck---smaller no of pax and also have butlers. We have been on 6 Uniworld trips, but not since they became all included. We really like AMAwaters--their attention to detail and handling of high and low water problems.

 

There is a sticky at the top that can answer many of your questions. Good luck, keep those questions coming. There are many experienced river cruisers here, but also many here who think there is only one line to sail with--the one they like best.:D Pat

[caviargal]

I agree that starting with reading the "sticky's" at the top can be helpful. Also, this question is posted a lot so using the search feature to pull up existing posts will be helpful.

 

I would also scan this forum for trip reports which are very insightful.

 

We are headed out tomorrow for river cruise #7, and our 3rd with AmaWaterways. We have two more booked with AMA as we are very happy with the overall quality, experience and attention to detail. I have written detailed reviews on all of my river cruises which you can read here on CC.

 

Happy planning!

[CPT Trips]

I am a firm believer in taking longer than 7 day river cruises . . . It allows me to forget the plane ride over before I have to get back on a plane to fly home. We use Grand Circle at enjoy it. Their accommodations are not as luxurious as many other lines, but their service and food is top notch.

Going a bit off topic, we found small ship cruising a great way to avoid the mega tour groups in port. Unfortunately, not much here on CC. We traveled a 50 pax GCCL ship from Athens to Split with a few days in Zagreb at the end. They have a number of small ship itineraries.

With GCT/GCCL, you will be the "kids" on board.

[jiminyC_fan]

I agree with CPT Trips. The longer the cruise the better. It takes so long to get over to Europe and back again that 7 days isn't long enough even if you include a short pre cruise or post cruise. So happy that we chose a 15 day for our first European River Cruise. We chose Viking and we loved everything about them. Everyone here has a favorite line so it's kind of hard to get a feel for the right one for you. As others have said, read some of the reviews and maybe that could help you. After listening to people and reading here, we thought it was a ship loaded with wheelchairs and canes. That was not our experience at all. But even if it was we would have been perfectly fine with it. We were in our early 50's on a cruise to Alaska on Holland and our very favorite person onboard was a man in his late 70's. He was in a wheelchair and he brought sunshine to our cruise. He kept up with the fast pace of the port intensive cruise including the land portion before the cruise. We later learned that he only had a short time to live and was treating his caretaker to the cruise. Her life long dream was to see Alaska. Age means nothing. Attitude does. We don't like the small talk at dinner either but it worked just fine for us. Hope you find your perfect match.

Edited November 15, 2014 by jiminyC_fan

[caviargal]

Our first river cruise was 5 days, which was just right for a first timer, IMO. We did a short Christmas market cruise and started and ended with 4 days in Europe DIY.

 

We have since done 6 more and have three more booked; we are leaving for Paris today to being a two week trip to France, including a 7 night river cruise. We have rented apartments for our time in Paris, and planned a day trip to the Champagne district. We are independent travelers and even on a river cruise choose DIY much of the time, as we like to explore based on our interests and at our preferred pace.

 

We prefer the combination of DIY in Europe with a 7 night cruise. We would not consider a longer itinerary as one week is just right for us. We did one back to back (11 nights total) with Avalon a few years ago. It was too much for us and we would not choose to do that again. We were quite bored by the 2nd week with repetitive menus, duplicated entertainment, and the lack of things to do. The particular itinerary had quite a bit of daytime sailing, which we learned is something we prefer in small doses. We do not go to Europe to relax, but to soak up as much of the local culture as we possibly can.

Edited November 15, 2014 by caviargal

[robertmartha]

Thank you so much everyone for your advice - esp the "sticky" at the top of the page - it helped tremendously already. Thinking at first glace Avalon may be a good match but will have to see and read. Think I am like most on these boards that research and plan obsessively! Also like the idea of the precruise...chance to meet fellow guests but work schedules at this time in life for me (and most people these days) are pretty demanding so a 7 day is more realistic for me at this time.

[alexandra cruiser]

time is if its not for you,not stuck for a long time.Believe me,some DO NOT like it.Say,too small ship,no fancy entertainment,not enough places to eat.

Just look at you tubes, websites,etc.

If you don't LOVE Avalon, can always upgrad for NEXT one.W e ve taken all the major lines and enjoy trying new ones out,esp.since not all lines do all itineraries.

Some better for some locations.Now love Scenic,but more expensive and all inclusive.But nice to be pampered now that we can finally afford the 5 star lines.Remember, you DO tend to GET what you pay for.Look at all the included details and how much it will cost you,,,like airport transfer,tips,drinks,excursions,rest.onboard,etc....Was surprised we had such a large bill at end of first river cruise,no know what to expect.Prefer to pay ahead of time so we know our budget.Also,use a TA.Can get OBC and lots of info,plus handle all the details and cost you nothing.Google one who deals with river cruises and ask for recommendations.:)

Edited November 15, 2014 by alexandra cruiser

[Wendy The Wanderer]

As a potential first timer, I think 7 days is right for a first trip, with appropriate pre- or post-trip stays in new or favourite places.

 

I'm considering AMA and Uniworld, and would consider Avalon as well, if they had the right itinerary. These three are recommended by my TA who sells only luxury products (I think they may sell Viking as well.) Won't consider GCT or Vantage (and probably not Viking.)

 

But then I haven't actually done one of these trips, so what do I know? I'm guessing and basing my choice on the recommendations of others.